Blue vs. Green Ammonia Production: A Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Assessment Perspective

Challenges and opportunities for the photo-(thermal) synthesis of ammonia

“…This implies that, ultimately, the hydrogen or gas market prices will play a pivotal role to determine the profitability of any potential route for NH 3 production. 6 Despite its promising future, if photo-thermal catalysis is to lead a paradigm shift in the field of heterogeneous catalysis and compete with long-established thermo-catalytic processes, a series of challenges need to be addressed. For instance, a deeper understanding of the synergies between hot carriers and thermal effects at the fundamental level would be desirable in order to fully comprehend the mechanisms underlying photo-thermal reactions.…”

Boosting the cost competitiveness of low-carbon ammonia by expanding emission trading system coverage in China

“…In a broader context, ammonia, characterized by its zero-carbon combustion and high energy density, holds promise as a hydrogen carrier, marine fuel, and energy vector. It helps to address challenges like safety concerns in hydrogen transportation, the high emission intensity in maritime shipping, and the intermittency of renewable energy sources 24 . However, the intensive emissions associated with conventional ammonia hinder its application in the context of carbon-neutrality targets.…”

“…While a few studies have explored the impact of carbon pricing on LCOA 9,10,15 , these carbon prices are exogenously determined, without adequate consideration of prevailing policy or socio-economic conditions, potentially leading to less accurate estimations. Moreover, although some studies have conducted life-cycle assessments on ammonia production, highlighting electricity grid as a significant contributor to overall CO2eq emissions 23,24 , they tended to take a static perspective, overlooking the rapid evolvement of energy system in the transition to carbon neutrality and the spatial variation across China's provinces 25,26 . Hence, a prospective and spatially explicit life-cycle analysis is necessary to comprehensively grasp the role of ETS in China's low-carbon ammonia transition.…”

Ruminations on sustainable and safe food: Championing for open symbiotic cultures ensuring resource efficiency, eco‐sustainability and affordability

“…Nitrogen (N) is an essential element in all proteinaceous commodities but is still largely supplied by the Haber‐Bosch process (producing more than a third of total reactive nitrogen; Spiller et al., 2022). Producing 1 kg of reactive N from dinitrogen present in the air is equivalent to around 2–3.5 kg CO 2 , and globally represents 1%–1.4% of the global GHG emissions (Matassa et al., 2023; Mayer et al., 2023). Even though progress on eco‐friendlier NH 3 production with blue or green H 2 has been industrially announced, it may take several decades before these routes become economically viable (Mayer et al., 2023).…”

“…Producing 1 kg of reactive N from dinitrogen present in the air is equivalent to around 2–3.5 kg CO 2 , and globally represents 1%–1.4% of the global GHG emissions (Matassa et al., 2023; Mayer et al., 2023). Even though progress on eco‐friendlier NH 3 production with blue or green H 2 has been industrially announced, it may take several decades before these routes become economically viable (Mayer et al., 2023). Upon application of fertilizers, efficiency gaps are present all along the nutrients‐to‐farm‐to‐fork value chains.…”